How to write your will

Thank you for considering including a gift in your will to Forest & Bird.

Bequests are some of the most thoughtful gifts we receive. They ensure that the nature you love will continue to be protected in the future.

The good news is writing your will can be a relatively simple process but we always recommend you seek professional advice when writing your will.

Simple errors in wording can create confusion and delays in carrying out your wishes. It is important you include the full name of the charity – The Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand – together with our registered charity number which is CC26943.

Types of gift

General gifts towards the work of Forest & Bird provide flexibility for us to respond to conservation issues as they emerge. However we would be delighted to discuss with you the best options if you wish to leave a gift in your will towards a specific purpose.

Gift of Natural Areas: If you wish to leave a gift of a natural area it is preferable to discuss this with Forest & Bird in advance. To help the charity care for the area gifted, provision should be made under your will for a fund, payable to the Society for the ongoing maintenance of the property.

Forest & Bird Endowment Fund: Money held in the fund is invested as capital and left to build over time. The Society is able to use a portion of the earned interest annually to fund its conservation work which means the impact of your gift is felt on a daily basis.

Residue: Once you have provided for your loved ones, you may wish to leave Forest & Bird the remainder (residue) or a percentage of your estate.

Specified Sum or Assets: You may prefer to leave a specific amount of money, real estate, shares, bonds, items or a nominated gift to the charity.

Information for your solicitor

For the convenience of your solicitor or advisor who may be helping you draw up your will, here are examples of useful and accurate wording, covering two types of legacy.

Legacy of all or part of net estate:

‘I give to The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Incorporated, registered charity number CC26943 (hereinafter called Forest & Bird) the residue (or % share of the residue) of my estate absolutely and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used to for the general purposes of Forest & Bird and (ii) a receipt signed by a person for the time being authorised by the governing body of Forest & Bird shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors’.

Fixed Sum Legacy:

‘I give to The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Incorporated, registered charity number CC26943 (hereinafter called Forest & Bird) the sum of $______ and I direct that (i) the proceeds may be used for the general purposes of Forest & Bird and (ii) a receipt signed by a person for the time being authorised by the governing body of Forest & Bird shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my executors’.

Take Action!

Let us know you have decided to include us in your will by emailing legacy@forestandbird.org.nz. We don’t need to know the details but we’d love to be able to thank you and keep you informed of our work.